Dagger

What does dagger mean

The dagger is a white weapon, a type of dagger similar to the knife, but longer and smaller than a sword. It consists of a short, wide and flat blade of steel or iron with a sharp point.

It is usually double-edged, there are also some that have up to four edges or cuts. In the handle of the same retains an ornament to protect the holder.

It can be used for short-range defense as a stab weapon. Adorned could be used as a symbol in a ceremony or ritual. The dagger was more popular among women who used to use them as protection.

Daggers and knifes are generally considered secondary or tertiary weapons, also as a supplement for the sword.

Its origin comes from the bronze age three thousand years before Christ (III thousand b.c) made of materials such as bones, ivory, flint, sílex, among many others.

The first time a description of a push dagger was recognized happened in the “Relief of Guido” inside the Grossmünster of Zürich (in the year 1120). Later, during the Renaissance the dagger was a part of the daily apparel, especially among the plebeians for being the only weapon they were allowed to carry and employ.

Nowadays, said by the legislation of knives in many places of the world, confines the production, purchase, property, use, facturation or shipment of daggers.

Usages

In the war of trench of WW1 (first World War), there were used daggers and knives as a defense. This fact made the swords used by the officers to be replaced, since these were very long and effortful to use.

Consequently, the daggers were used with pride as a sign of having served first-line service.

Besides military forces, most daggers are not carried openly, instead, hidden in clothing. One of its most popular hidden forms is in the lower part of the leg, this dagger is usually shorter and more compact. It is generally worn tied to a boot and other types of footwear.

During XVII and XVIII centuries in Spain, the dagger was very popular as a weapon in fencing, and it was called a dagger.

At the beginning of the XVII century another form of daggers was used; the plug bayonet. This bayonet was used to convert muskets and other long weapons into spears when mounted on a cannon.

In addition, Daggers were used to eat when cutlery had not yet been invented by the French in the seventeenth century. Also, they were manipulated as an object to patch boots, house repairs and farm work.

Lastly, daggers improved a man’s daily personal clothing, making him look classier and well dressed.

Symbiology

Because of its historical use and its peculiar form has made the dagger iconic plus symbolic. Daggers could relate masculinity, virility and martial in some cultures, not as a tool and/or weapon.

As is to be expected, daggers have been a very important element throughout history, for example, at the opening of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1924 were found two daggers; One of them with gold foil, and the other made of cast iron

Daggers are usually used on ensign of elite military units or special forces. Also in the Special Operations Unit of the US Army (USAASO) or in the Patch of the Commander’s Dagger.

These weapons may be associated in certain situations with deception, stealth, treachery, and the surprise of a victim taken unawares, in fact, many murders have been executed with a dagger, eg, the death of Julius Caesar 44 a.c

On the other hand, in some cultures the dagger symbolizes daring and courage in combat.

That’s why they are considered symbolically ambiguous, because their form can be interpreted in different ways because of its place in history.

The name and popularity of the daggers began to be corrupted by the use that was given in dishonest, secret, unforeseen and unpleasant acts when it was used to kill in a hidden way.

The result was relating the dagger with dark connotations, assaults, murders to innocent victims or sleepers. The reputation was and is still very much stained compared to the sword, which is a symbol of power, reverence, and cavalry.

Dagger’s reputation

The bad reputation of the daggers has remained in force until the present time. This is perhaps due to contemporary films and bloodthirsty television series where daggers are shown as objects to brutally kill.

Throughout history have been reported accounts of assassinations in which daggers are used.

Examples:

March 15, 44 BC in Rome, Pompey. Gaius Julius Caesar was murdered by conspirators, who stabbed him repeatedly with daggers.

On May 26, 946 in England, King Edmund of 24 years old, was stabbed to death by a criminal during the festival of St. Augustine. It is estimated that the killer used to kill a Scramasax dagger.

Another homicide was on 9 March 1566 at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. Rizzio, the secretary of Queen Mary of Scots when sitting at dinner with the queen was dragged by nobles and stabbed to death in an adjoining room. The nobles might have used Dudgeon daggers

The dagger regained social prestige during the time of the Rapier, when hand-to-hand combat became less brutal.

In the same way, daggers popularity was restored a little when it’s handling became more formal, regulated and warlike. This is preferable compared to the previous custom of cruelly killing.

It is remarkable how the daggers in Europe were carried by most men as a defense weapon, a useful tool and an obligatory article of clothing for over a thousand years.

In the nineteenth century, the habit of carrying a dagger as a general use ceased. And the hunting knife became a specialized instrument.

However, in combat and in military traditions the daggers were incorporated into the bayonet weapon that has continued in use to till day.